Damascus-Homs highway reopens after 5 years as Syria army makes more gains

A strategic highway linking the Syrian capital, Damascus, to Homs Province has reopened following a five-year shutdown due to the terrorists’ grip on its surrounding areas.

The international highway was opened to public traffic after its reconstruction was completed.

The rehabilitation of the road was made possible last month, following the liberation of the Eastern Ghouta region near the capital, Damascus.

Since 2013, the highway had been completely out of service because of the presence of Takfiri terrorists in the areas overlooking the road and their indiscriminate attacks on passing vehicles and Syrian army checkpoints.

The reopening of the highway also shortened the travel time between Damascus and Homs.

For years, the areas had served as a launch pad for deadly terror attacks against civilians in Damascus.

Syrian forces later moved to liberate other militant-held areas in the provinces of Homs and Hama.